Dec 29, 2009

This morning I woke up to frost and temperatures in the low 20s. That's cold for Mississippi! So my thoughts are naturally turning to something warm and comforting for dinner--like this easy chili that's packed with flavor. You may already have most of its ingredients in your freezer and pantry. What could be better than a big pot steaming away in the kitchen on a cold night?

Dec 18, 2009

On Saturday, Barney and I went over to Lemuria to go to a signing for Nancy Lottridge Anderson's new book "Tough Talk for Tough Times". She's a financial counselor and the co-host of the radio show "Money Talks" on MPR. She's got some great advice for managing money.

If you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, Nancy has another book signing this Saturday, Dec. 19th in Clinton, MS. It's at Pentimento Books from 1:00 till 3:00 p.m. See details here: http://bit.ly/6RCnJ3

Dec 8, 2009

Did you see the article in Saturday's Madison County Herald? I think Kara Kimbrough did a great job of reviewing Patty Roper's newest book: Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations. My favorite quote? "When you invite people into your home, you are telling them they are special to you."

I'm including below one of the recipes from that article. Click here to read the full article and see the rest of her party recipes.

Nov 23, 2009

Today's the day to start thawing your frozen turkey for Thanksgiving. The standard thawing time (in the refrigerator) is one day for every 4 pounds of turkey. That means you'll need 3 days for the average 12-pound bird. That's today!

Place the unopened turkey on a pan -- to catch any juices -- in your refrigerator breast side up.

The people from Butterball can give you some other tips for handling and preparing a frozen turkey if you need to thaw it more quicly.

Nov 20, 2009

I was browsing around yesterday and happened upon this review by the blogger "Pork Steak". It was one of our books! It's always so enjoyable to get to hear from our readers and see which recipes they like and how they work for them.

Nov 10, 2009

All of us at Quail Ridge Press are hurrying around getting set up for the big sale we have this Thursday and Friday. We've literally got thousands of 'hurt books' that we'll be offering garage-sale-style during this week's Warehouse Sale. We only do this once a year: we clean out and make room for the new books we'll have coming in. It's a lot of fun and it's one of the few times of year we get to meet and talk to so many of our readers!If you're close to the Jackson, MS area, plan to come by and browse through our many long tables of books. We're dropping the prices as much as 90% on some books and there will be a whole table of $1.00 books.

We'll be open from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on both Thursday (Nov. 12th) and Friday (Nov. 13th)On our website, we've put up a map to Quail Ridge Press that you can print off and bring with you.

Oct 30, 2009

I'm asked that question a lot this time of year, especially from the wives of hunters. Well, this week I've got a good answer: The Complete Venison Cookbook

Now, I didn't write this cookbook. It's written by a deer-meat expert, Harold Webster, and it's the perfect gift for anyone who loves venison -- or loves someone who loves venison! Besides 700 venison recipes and 250 side dish recipes, Harold walks you through how to harvest and prepare your meat so it isn't dry, tough or strong tasting.

Quail Ridge Press has this 420-page book marked down to just $15.00 until November, so if you're interested in a little early Christmas gift, click here to take a look at this unique book.Here's a recipe from the book that I'd like to share so you can try this out at home.

Sep 14, 2009

This Thursday Patty Roper is going to be signing copies of her new book, Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations, at The Everyday Gardener in the Fondren area of Jackson. She'll be there from noon until 3:00 p.m. Thursday, September 17.

Aug 24, 2009

We went out to Patty Roper's book signing in Madison on Saturday. The new Everyday Gourmet store is so nice and has everything you'd ever need in your kitchen. It also connects to the adjacent Viking Cooking School, which is also very impressive.

All of the food I sampled was just wonderful. Patty had baked several of the recipes from her new book, including some delicate pink Parisan Macaroons (pg. 69) and Spicy Cheese Hearts (pg. 137).

Patty was set up in the front of Everyday Gourmet, just to the right as you entered the store. It was a beautiful day and sunlight just flooded the store's oversized windows.

Patty also displayed samples of some of the tablescapes she designed for parties. The one closest to you in this photo is from a Tie The Knot Party, a get-together for groomsmen where she decorates each place setting with mens ties. How adorable!

Barney and our granddaughter sample some of the delicious cookies.

Here I am with Patty Roper (center) and Marlana Walters (left) one of the owners of The Everyday Gourmet store where the signing was held.

Aug 14, 2009

If you're close to the Jackson metro area, I hope you'll make plans to come by The Everyday Gourmet's grand opening of their new Madison, MS store on Saturday, August 22nd. One of our authors, Patty Roper, will be there signing copies of Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. You'll get to sample some of the party food from her book as well as see her ingenious ideas for elegant-but-affordable table decorations.I'm going to stop by while she's there. I hope you will, too!

AUGUST 22, 2009

10 am ~ 4 pm

The Everyday Gourmet (New Location)

1107 Highland Colony Parkway

Madison, MS

Come meet Patty Roper, editor of Mississippi Magazine and author of 4 popular books on entertaining, including Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations.